Trustees welcome new board members on cusp of fall semester

With the start of the fall semester less than three weeks away, the East Carolina University Board of Trustees officially welcomed five new members at a ceremonial swearing in by Pitt County Clerk of Superior Court Sara Beth Fulford Rhodes on Aug. 7.

New board member orientation was Wednesday followed by the full board meeting Thursday.

Joining the board are ECU alumni Rich Balot of Grimesland, Nick Crabtree of Greenville, Matt Crisp of Marietta, Georgia, Curtis Struyk of Morehead City, and ex-officio member Daniel Walker of Currituck, ECU Student Government Association president.

Balot was appointed by the N.C. House, Crabtree was appointed by the N.C. Senate, and the UNC System Board of Governors appointed Crisp and Struyk. Their four-year terms began July 1 and will end June 30, 2029. Walker will serve a one-year term.

Chair Cassie Burt welcomed the new board members before Chancellor Philip Rogers shared remarks in preparation for the new academic year.

"It's that special time of year. The campus is generally quiet as the summer begins to quickly wind down, but the anticipation is great," Rogers said. "I look forward to a renewed vibrancy across our campus that comes with the start of the fall term, and I promise you the energy in this building along with traffic coming into campus will be different at your next meeting."

ECU's No. 1 priority is its mission to be a national model for student success, public service and regional transformation, he said.

One way ECU is helping students succeed is through its four online Flight Path programs, with an expected enrollment of more than 600 this fall. ECU is exploring expansion of online courses as it adapts to change and disruption in higher education, from budgets and research funding cuts to demographic changes and business model adjustments, Rogers said.

"Like most campuses, we face difficult decisions this year and will be faced with tough conversations and tough choices as a campus community," he said. "From more shared services to academic program reviews to alignment of resources so that we have the capacity to invest in strategic priorities and revenue drivers, the need to adapt, adjust and innovate will only accelerate this year."

Rogers said he looks forward to working with the board and campus community this year to plot the course, operate and adapt with ECU's mission as its guide.

Walker, who represents more than 26,000 ECU students, shared several of the SGA's plans with a focus on accessibility and transparency of resources and increased student engagement. "We're at a critical time for student health and wellness," he said. New programs will include SGA Sips and Solutions, a time for students to meet with SGA officers and ECU administrators. The first is set for Sept. 9 with Dr. Brandon Frye, ECU vice chancellor for student affairs.

Following remarks, the board approved the following:

• A 50-year lease with the city of Greenville for the North Recreational Complex, a university-designated millennial campus site on U.S. 264. The complex includes multi-field recreational facilities and buildings appraised at $11.12 million. Under the proposed terms, the city would make a $3 million upfront payment and annual lease payments ranging from $150,000 to $300,000 over the 50-year term, totaling $13 million. ECU would realize approximately $350,000 in annual operating savings. The proposal will now go to the city and UNC Board of Governors for final approval. ECU plans to reinvest proceeds at the Blount Recreational Sports Complex off Charles Boulevard.
• Advance planning authorization of $2 million from dining receipts for renovations to West End Dining Hall. The total estimated project cost is $20 million and would be completed over two or three summers.
• Request for a $16,000 increase in capital project authority for the Warren Life Sciences Building to award the project bid for installation and modifications related to air handling units.
• Lease agreement on behalf of the Department of Nephrology for 8,612 square feet of office space at 2355 W. Arlington Blvd. The one-year lease is $103,350.
• A new institutional policy on interpersonal relationships among faculty, staff and students, which replaces two existing policies and aligns with UNC System guidance.

Earlier in the morning, the board's new committee on equality policy compliance met and received reports on realignment and implementation of ECU's commitment to institutional neutrality. The committee was formed to adhere to revised UNC System policy on nondiscrimination, neutrality and equality principles. The committee will meet again in a special session this month ahead of a Sept. 1 deadline for certification.

Following a closed session, the board approved tenure for four faculty members. The board also appointed Crisp to its endowment fund board along with Burt and vice chair Dave Fussell, who serve in their capacities as board officers.

On Wednesday, trustees gathered for informational sessions, one of which included policies and guidelines of board operations.

They also received budgetary and funding information, including the effect student credit hours have on state appropriations. Trustees also learned of university strategies to increase enrollment and credit hours, from retaining current students to recruiting high school graduates and the state's 1.5 million residents who have some college education but no degree.

During a presentation on ECU's student success agenda, Chris Stansbury, senior associate vice chancellor for student affairs, and Allen Guidry, associate provost for learner operations, outlined the university's efforts to foster a student success ecosystem across campus.

"Everybody's job is enrollment. Everybody's job is retention. And there's a role you have to play in it," Stansbury said.

As One ECU, Stansbury said, staff and faculty are focusing on using data-informed policies and practices to improve the experience, learning environment, well-being and professional readiness of all students. The effort includes goals related to student retention at the college level, advising practices, transfer policies, fundraising and scholarships, and on-time degree completion campaigns.

In a session on athletics, Jon Gilbert, ECU athletics director, said a September groundbreaking is planned for an expansion at Clark-LeClair Stadium. The Scales Field House demolition is complete, and turf will be installed on the building site, which will used for tailgating and hospitality. Athletics is approaching 15,000 season tickets sold for this football season.